Astronauts go spacewalking to give new hand to Canadarm2

Spacewalking astronauts are giving a hand to the International Space Station’s big robot arm.

NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Scott Tingle floated outdoors Tuesday to install the new mechanical gripper. Because of the lingering effects of the government shutdown, the beginning of the spacewalk was not broadcast live on NASA TV. A NASA message stated: “We regret the inconvenience.”

Vande Hei performed a similar spacewalk last October, when he replaced the first of two original hands on the Canadian-built arm. This second hand will go on the opposite end of the 58-foot arm. The bulky bundle of latches needs to be replaced because of wear and tear. It’s been in orbit, grabbing cargo capsules and performing other chores, since 2001.

It’s the first spacewalk for Tingle, who arrived last month.

Vande Hei and Scott Tingle will exchange the Canadarm2’s Latching End Effector (LEE) for a new one stored on the International Space Station (ISS). ( ESA/NASA)